Believe it or not, there are some today who believe that Christians will have no hardships... no sickness or disease... that they will be perpetually happy. There is no support for that idea in God's Holy Word. Happiness, by it's etymology, depends on circumstances. In fact, a primary dictionary definition of "happy" is "favored by circumstances."

It is foolish to suppose that a mother or father will be happy when they have just lost a child or the life of a child hangs in the balance. However, Christians can have comfort and confidence in such circumstances, knowing that God is in control and that He does all things well. They can experience an abiding joy and peace in their hearts that cannot be understood or experienced by unbelievers.
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, was called a "man of sorrows." He was "acquainted with grief." We are reminded in God's Word (Romans 8:35-39) that we Christians may have to go through some very unpleasant circumstances (read it!), but we are assured, NOT that we will be HAPPY through those experiences, but that we will be more than conquerors through them because of the love of God which is ours in Christ. See also Hebrews Chapter 11.

Folks who teach that Christians should always be happy will have to convince me that one can be happy while being sawed in two or going through any of the tortures those Christian martyrs endured!

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